Monthly Archives: September 2013

Patrick Buchanan: America Says ‘No!’ to a Beltway War

"How many Syrians should we kill to restore the credibility of Barack Obama? How many Syrians should we kill to impress upon Iran how resolute we are? How many Syrians should we kill to reassure nervous allies that Uncle Sam will forever come fight their wars for them? In America, before we put a man to death, we prove him guilty of murder 'beyond a reasonable doubt.' Should we not set as high a standard of proof before we kill a thousand Syrians and plunge the United States into another war?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPatrick Buchanan: America Says ‘No!’ to a Beltway War

Scheuer: Ten questions worth pondering on Obama, Syria, and Interventionism

"Question: Is it justifiable for America to go to war in Syria to get President Obama out of the box he created for himself by talking about a 'red line' in the Syrian civil war, a conflict in which no genuine U.S. national interests are at risk? Answer: No. Obama’s inexperience in foreign affairs and his seeming personal arrogance got him — and America — into this mess, and so little a man is he that he now refuses to accept responsibility for foolishly drawing the red line, instead blaming it on 'the world.' Let him swing. Question: Will America’s credibility as a great military power be denigrated if it does not attack Syria? Answer: No. We have already lost most of that credibility [..]" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScheuer: Ten questions worth pondering on Obama, Syria, and Interventionism

Is the U.S. Producing Democracies?

"There is a political science literature whose research indicates that economic development fosters democratic government, as opposed to dictatorships and autocracies. This is not to say that democracies are an end to be sought, because they in turn stifle economic development. But it is to say that the U.S. and NATO policy of tearing down dictatorships does not achieve the oft-advertised aim of producing democracies. This is especially true when the means is a devastating war that destroys physical, cultural, social and human capital. Recent evidence for this includes countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs the U.S. Producing Democracies?

Chinese versus US Arms Transfers to Autocrats and Violators of Human Rights

"An academic article by Paul Midford and Indra de Soysa examines which government supports more autocratic regimes and sends arms into civil wars, China or the U.S. They find that the U.S. does." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChinese versus US Arms Transfers to Autocrats and Violators of Human Rights

How To Lose a War Before Even Starting It

"Events in Syria are of marginal importance to us, and on the edge of our ability to influence. Since the civil war in Syria is a major focus of the world-wide, longstanding struggle between Islam’s Sunni and Shia factions, what will happen there will be determined by Syrians and their neighbors regardless of what the US government does or does not do. The Syrian civil war’s importance to us, however, may well be that it is reminding us of how we should deal with matters of war and peace, namely: concretely, logically, un-emotionally, jealously matching the ends we seek with the means we are willing to use. American statesmen have not done that consistently for a century." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow To Lose a War Before Even Starting It

Never Forget, Have We?

Do you remember were you were? Do you remember the confusion, the fear and most of all the voices,the faces? Did you vow to never forget? Did you make a promise to change your life,get involved, make America better? Get on your knees,and ask for forgiveness and for God? Have you forgotten? Did you change,get …

Continue reading »

Continue ReadingNever Forget, Have We?

Syrian President Bashar al Assad – Charlie Rose Interview 9/9/2013

"PBS' Charlie Rose interviews Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday, September 9, at 9 p.m. in a special presentation of CHARLIE ROSE. In this global television exclusive, Assad gives his only television interview since President Barack Obama asked Congress to approve the use of force against the Syrian regime for alleged use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSyrian President Bashar al Assad – Charlie Rose Interview 9/9/2013

Reps. Bachmann, Gohmert and King thank Egyptian military for coup

“Tea party-backed Representatives Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Steve King (R-IA) on Saturday held a press conference in Egypt to thank the country’s military for overthrowing the elected government.  ‘Together, we’ve gone through suffering. Together, the United States … Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReps. Bachmann, Gohmert and King thank Egyptian military for coup